Compressed gas gun having built-in, internal projectile feed mechanism

ABSTRACT

A compressed gas gun is provided, wherein the body houses a firing assembly and an internal, built-in projectile feed mechanism. The projectile feed mechanism is preferably formed as a rear or butt stock of the compressed gas gun. The projectile feed mechanism preferably feeds projectiles to the firing assembly via a feed ramp having an S-shaped transition portion. The compressed gas gun preferably includes a removable top feed rail assembly that can be removed to expose the interior of the compressed gas gun body for field stripping. Central control circuitry is preferably provided for controlling both the firing assembly and the projectile feed mechanism.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/309,958, filed Jun. 20, 2014, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 9,658,027 onMay 23, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/837,984, filed Jun. 21, 2013 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/891,781, filed Oct. 16, 2013, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to compressed gas guns, and more particularly, toa compressed gas gun having a built-in, internal projectile feedmechanism for feeding projectiles, such as paintballs, into a compressedgas gun such as a paintball marker.

BACKGROUND

A popular game/sport has developed over the years, which uses paintballguns or “markers.” Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectilesknown as paintballs. These paintballs are generally spherical capsuleshaving a gelatin or starch based shell filled with paint or non-toxicdye. During play of the game, the players on each team advance towardseach other. A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hitby a paintball fired from an opposing player's gun. When the paintballhits a player, a “splat” of paint is left on the player.

Some examples of paintball compressed gas guns, also called “markers” or“guns” (referred to herein as either compressed gas guns, markers orguns), are those offered under the brand names EMPIRE™, MINI™ AXE™, TM™,and BT™, and others shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,336,532;8,176,908; 7,921,837; 6,035,843; 7,946,285; 4,936,282; and 5,497,758,the entire contents of all of which are all incorporated by reference asif fully set forth herein.

Players use the paintball guns to shoot projectiles known as paintballs(projectiles and paintballs are used interchangeably herein). Thesepaintballs are spherical, frangible projectiles normally having gelatinor starch-based shells filled with paint (coloring or dye). The shellsbreak when impacting a target, allowing the paint within to splatter onthe target. The sport of paintball is often played like capture theflag. A player is eliminated from the game when the player is hit by apaintball fired from an opposing player's marker. When the paintballhits a target such as a player, a mark or “splat” of paint is left onthe player.

Paintball loaders (otherwise known as hoppers or magazines, and alsoreferred to herein as “loaders”) sit atop the markers and feedprojectiles into the marker. These projectile loaders (the terms “feedmechanisms,” “hopper,” “magazine,” and “loader” are used interchangeablyherein) store projectiles, and have an outlet or exit tube (out feedtube or neck). The outlet tube is connected to an inlet tube (or feedneck) of a paintball marker, which is in communication with the breechof the paintball marker. Thus, the loaders act to hold and feedpaintball projectiles into the breech of a paintball marker, so that theprojectiles can be fired from the marker.

Many loaders contain agitators or feed systems to feed, move, mix,propel, or otherwise move projectiles in the loader. This mixing isperformed by feeder, impeller, projection, carrier, drive cone,agitator, paddle, arm, fin, or any other mechanism, such as those shownand described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110; 6,502,567; 5,947,100;5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and 6,792,933, the entirecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein. Because it is desirable to eliminate as many opposingplayers as possible, paintball markers are capable of semi-automaticrapid fire. The paintball loaders act to hold a quantity of projectiles,and ensure proper feeding of the projectiles to the marker for firing.

Paintball guns generally have two basic mechanisms working inconjunction for firing a paintball from the marker during a firingoperation. One of these mechanisms is for loading a paintball in thebreech of a paintball marker, and usually involves a bolt thatreciprocates from a loading position, allowing a projectile into thebreech, to a firing position. A valving system is employed to releasecompressed gas from a source of compressed gas to fire the projectilefrom the marker.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary compressed gas gun 130 known in theart is illustrated having a gun body 132 with a rearward end 134 towardsits grip 136 and a forward end 138 towards its barrel 140 is shown. Thegun body 132 includes a generally cylindrical interior passage or space133 (a portion of which may be considered a breech area) for receivingat least some of the firing components (e.g., the hammer and valvingcomponents) of the gun 130. A hammer 144 (sometimes referred to in theart as a ram, striker, or bolt) is disposed within the gun body 132adjacent the rearward end 134 of the gun body 132, the hammer 144 havinga forward end 146 facing the valve 160. The forward end 146 of thehammer 144 is adapted to contact a valve pin 148.

A main hammer spring 150 is disposed within the gun body 132 and biasesthe hammer 144 toward the forward or firing position. The hammer 144 isretained in a cocked or ready position by a sear 152 that pivots toengage a portion of the hammer 144. Actuation of a trigger 154 (such asby pulling the trigger) disengages the sear 152 from the hammer 144,allowing the hammer 144 to spring forward under the bias of the mainhammer spring 150.

A bolt 156 is disposed within the gun body 132. A firing tube 158 ispartially disposed within the bolt 156, such that the bolt 156 coaxiallysurrounds the firing tube 158. Forward movement of the bolt 156 causesforward movement and loading of a projectile 142.

A valve 160 is disposed within the gun body 132 between the hammer 144and the bolt 156. The valve 160 includes a valve pin 148 extendingrearward toward the hammer 144, the valve pin 148 including a contactend 162. A connecting rod 164 connects the hammer 144 and the bolt 156for synchronized movement of the hammer 144 and the bolt 156. Aconnecting rod 164 provides a mechanical linkage between the hammer 144and the bolt 156. The valve 160 assembly includes a valve housing 166and a valve body 168 disposed within the valve housing 166. The valvebody 168 includes an inlet port 170 for receiving gas under pressurefrom a gas line 196. The valve body 168 includes an outlet port 176 forcommunicating gas under pressure from within the valve body 168 when thevalve 160 is actuated or open. A valve poppet 184 is disposed within thevalve body 168. A sealing member such as a cup seal 186 is provided tothe valve poppet 184.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an exemplary paintball loader 400operatively attached to a representative paintball gun 410 illustratedin phantom. The paintball gun includes a main body 412, a compressed gascylinder 414, a front handgrip 416 or foregrip, a barrel 418, and a rearhandgrip 419. The paintball gun also includes an infeed tube 420 leadingto a firing chamber in the interior of the main body and a trigger 422.The front handgrip projects downwardly from the barrel and provides anarea for gripping by an operator of the paintball gun. The compressedgas cylinder is typically secured to a rear portion of the paintballgun. The compressed gas cylinder normally contains CO2, or NO2, althoughany compressible gas may be used.

The paintball loader 400 includes a container body 430, screen, readout,or display 424, and may include a circuit board that which includes amicroprocessor 426 for controlling the operation of the paintballloader, a motor 428, and an outfeed tube 432 that connects to the infeedtube 420 of the paintball gun.

Some of paintball guns operate using a pressure balanced poppet valves,such as the MINI™, TM-7™, TM-15™, and AXE™ series of paintball guns, aswell as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,601,780 and 6,925,997, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 3shows a known paintball marker (gun) having a pressure balanced poppetvalve system, as in the MINI™ paintball marker, and FIG. 4 shows anexploded of such a paintball marker.

The paintball gun 900 of FIGS. 3, 4 include a trigger assembly 901 and afiring assembly 903. The trigger assembly 901 is used to actuate thefiring of projectiles (e.g., paintballs) under the force of compressedgas from a source of compressed gas.

The firing assembly 903 is installed within the body 905 and is used todischarge the projectiles. The firing assembly 903 includes a housing906 having a cylindrical channel 907, a valving system including poppet908, and a bolt 913.

The poppet 908 is disposed within the housing 906 with a slimmer frontpart 909 and a wider rear part 910. The poppet 908 divides by thehousing 906 into front air chamber 911 and a rear air chamber 912 withdifferent pressure areas. A small through hole 923 is provided in thepoppet 908 between the front and the rear air chambers.

The bolt 913 is placed around a bolt guide 914 toward the forward end915 of the housing 906. A bolt spring 916 is disposed around the frontpart 917 of the bolt 913, biasing the bolt 913 to a rearward, open orready to fire position.

A solenoid 918 including a moveable plunger 919 are used to control theopening or closing of an air flow channel 920, thereby leading to apressure difference between the front air chamber 911 and rear airchamber 912 adjacent the poppet 908. As a result, the poppet 908 isshifted rearward, and some of the air flow is fed into a minor airchannel to shift the bolt 913 forward under the force of compressed gas,overcoming the bias of the spring 916. Thereafter, the paintball 142 isdischarged by the force of compressed gas entering the major air channelthrough the bolt.

A coupling or feed neck 924 is provided at the top portion of the bodyof the paintball gun 900. This feed neck 924 may be provided as a clampor locking collet of some type, in order to mechanically attach apaintball loader having an outfeed tube to the feed neck 924.

As can be appreciated, one problem with many known paintball loaders orhoppers is that the paintball hoppers sit on top of the paintball markerwhen mounted for play. This positioning provides a target to opposingpaintball sport players. This positioning also provides an obstructionto a player's view. It would be advantageous to have a paintball hopperpositioned so that it both avoids providing a target for opposingplayers, but is also out of a player's line of sight.

While some paintball loaders or hoppers have been mounted below thebreech area of paintball markers, these “box”-type loaders are bulky,and are positioned in front of the trigger or grip portions of thepaintball markers, below the breech area. These paintball loaders mustfeed upwards into the breech area, against gravity. Often, a paintballmarker must be customized or reconfigured to fit such paintball loaders.Also, these paintball loaders sit toward the front of the paintballmarker. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a paintball loaderthat is not mounted on top of a paintball marker, where no specialreconfiguration is required to attach the paintball loader to thepaintball marker.

In addition, paintball markers and paintball loaders or hoppers areseparate items that must be mechanically joined by, for example, anadaptor, clamp or collet of some type. This adapter provides a stresspoint, and can come uncoupled during game play. Accordingly, it would beadvantageous to have a paintball marker and paintball hopper containedin a single, unitary body.

In addition, paintball markers and paintball hoppers have separate,non-communicating electronics and/or control units. That is, thepaintball marker has its own control circuitry or electronics operatingindependently, and the paintball loader has its own control circuitry orelectronics operating independently. It would be advantageous to have asingle set of electronics and/or control circuitry and/or control unitthat controls, monitors, synchronizes, integrates and/or operates boththe paintball marker and the paintball hopper.

In addition, paintball markers and paintball loaders may be difficult to“field strip,” that is, disassemble for cleaning, adjustment or anytypes of maintenance, particularly during paintball sport play, andwithout tools. It would be advantageous to have both a paintball markerand an integrated paintball loader that is easy to field strip, withoutthe use of tools.

Finally, it would be advantageous to have a compressed gas gun,utilizing any type of firing assembly, and including an internal,built-in projectile loader.

The entire contents of following patents are incorporated by referenceas if fully set forth herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,336,532; 8,176,908;7,921,837; 6,035,843; 7,946,285; 4,936,282; 5,497,758; 6,213,110;6,502,567; 5,947,100; 5,791,325; 5,954,042; 6,109,252; 6,889,680; and6,792,933.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A compressed gas gun is provided comprising a body housing both thefiring assembly of the gun and an internal projectile feed (“loader”)mechanism. The projectile feed mechanism is preferably housed completelyinternally within the body of the compressed gas gun loader.

The projectile feed mechanism preferably includes a feed tube having aportion having a generally “S”-shaped cross-section. The projectile feedmechanism may be positioned at a horizontal point lower than the firingassembly of the compressed gas gun.

Another feature of the compressed gas gun having a built-in internalloader of the present invention is tool-less “field stripping,” orremoval of certain components completely from the interior of the bodyof the compressed gas gun, without the need for tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects andadvantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following drawings, in conjunction with theaccompanying specification, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary compressed gas gunincluding a firing assembly.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an exemplary paintball loader operativelyattached to a compressed gas gun.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the internals of anotherexemplary compressed gas gun and firing assembly.

FIG. 4 a left side, top, front perspective view of an exemplary acompressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an exemplary a compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of an exemplary a compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a left side view of an exemplary a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a right side view of an exemplary a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of an exemplary a compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of an exemplary a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of an exemplary a compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention with the top rail assembly removed.

FIG. 12 shows a right side view of an exemplary a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention with the right portion of the bodyshell removed to expose the internals of the compressed gas gun.

FIG. 13 shows a right side cross sectional view of an exemplary acompressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a left side view of an exemplary a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention with the left portion of the bodyshell removed to expose the internals of the compressed gas gun.

FIG. 15 shows a left side cross sectional view of an exemplary acompressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows a left side view of an exemplary top rail assembly, upperwall, firing assembly, feed tube, and projectile feed mechanism of acompressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional left side view of an exemplary top railassembly, upper wall, firing assembly, feed tube, and projectile feedmechanism of a compressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows a closer view of an exemplary a cross-sectional left sideview of an exemplary portion of a top rail assembly, upper wall, firingassembly, and portion of the feed tube of a compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a closer view of a cross-sectional left side view of anexemplary portion of a top rail assembly, feed tube and projectile feedmechanism of a compressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows a top view of an exemplary rear portion of an embodimentof a compressed gas gun according to the present invention, withreservoir extenders.

FIG. 21 shows an exploded view of an exemplary compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary firing assembly for a compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 23 an exploded view of an exemplary firing assembly for acompressed gas gun according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows an exemplary feed tube or feed ramp of compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 25 shows an exemplary top rail assembly of compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows removable pins used to hold components of a compressed gasgun according to the present invention in the interior of the compressedgas gun.

FIG. 27 shows an exploded view of an exemplary projectile feed mechanismof the present invention.

FIG. 28 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention with the top rail assembly attached.

FIG. 29 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention with the top rail assembly removed exposing theinterior of the compressed gas gun body for field stripping.

FIG. 30 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention, viewed from the right side and top, with the feedramp partially removed from the interior of the compressed gas gun body.

FIG. 31 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention on its side, with the top rail assembly and breechcovers removed, and with the feed ramp partially removed.

FIG. 32 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention on its side, with the top rail assembly and breechcovers removed, and with the feed ramp completely removed, and exposingthe firing assembly in the interior of the compressed gas gun.

FIG. 33 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention from the side and top, with the top rail assemblyremoved, and the firing assembly partially removed from the interior ofthe compressed gas gun.

FIG. 34 shows a portion of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention on its side, with the top rail assembly, breechcovers, firing assembly, and pins completely removed from the body ofthe compressed gas gun.

FIG. 35 shows the underside of an exemplary firing assembly of anexemplary compressed gas gun according to the present invention, showingthe control circuitry.

FIG. 36 shows the inside of an exemplary compressed gas gun according tothe present invention, showing the interior space where the firingassembly may be removably attached.

FIG. 37 shows a schematic of control circuitry and various sensors andelectronics for an exemplary compressed gas gun according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 38 shows a diagrammatic representation of the operation ofexemplary control circuitry of an exemplary compressed gas gun accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A compressed gas gun 700 is provided, the exterior of which is shown inFIGS. 4-10, having an internal, built-in projectile feed mechanism, andpreferably includes a gun body 701 having a front portion 704, rearportion 705, top (or “upper”) portion 706, bottom (or “lower”) portion707, left side portion 708 and right side portion 709. The gun body 701includes an exterior 702 and an interior 703.

A barrel portion 710, including a barrel 711, is provided adjacent thefront portion 704. Various rails 720, such as “picatinny”-type rails areprovided for attaching items (such as flashlights, sights, tools, etc.)to the gun body 701.

The gun body 701 includes a grip portion 713. A trigger guard 714 isprovided, including a trigger 715 for firing the gun. The gun body 701includes an opening 724 where a user's hand can fit, located between thegrip portion 713 and the rear or projectile feed mechanism portion 721of the gun body. The trigger 715 may actuate an electric switch 778 toinitiate a firing operation. A firing assembly portion 712 is providedabove the grip portion 713.

The rear portion 705 of the gun body 701 contains the built-inprojectile feed mechanism portion 721 and includes an internalprojectile feed mechanism 747, described in greater detail herein.Whereas known compressed gas guns and paintball loaders are separate anddistinct, and must be connected such as by a feed adapter or othermechanism for use, the gun body of the present invention comprises aunitary housing with the projectile feed mechanism built into the gunbody. This eliminates the need for a separate paintball loader, hopperor magazine. The projectile feed mechanism portion 721 effectivelycomprises a rear or “butt” stock of the compressed gas gun. Included ata top of the paintball loader portion is an opening that is selectivelyclosed/opened by a lid 722. The lid 722 may be hingedly attached to thegun body by a hinge 763. In addition, a “quick feed” or “speed feed”type of lid may be employed, including flexible fingers 723 that allow apaintball loader pod to load paintballs into the opening, withoutopening the lid. An exemplary quick-feed lid-type system is shown anddescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,157, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Thequick-feed lid-type system allows a user to dump or load a container ofpaintballs into the reservoir of a paintball hopper, by forcing apartthe flexible fingers 723, and thus, there is no need to open the lid toload paintballs. The flexible fingers 723 act as a one-way check valvesystem.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the compressed gas gun body 701 mayfurther include a battery door 727 that may slide or hingedly open foraccess to a power source 753 such as batteries, and including a batteryholder 768. The power source is connected to a switch to power theelectronics of the compressed gas gun ON/OFF. A regulator 745 ofregulating and/or otherwise adjusting the gas pressure from an attachedcompressed gas tank may be provided adjacent the grip portion 713. Acoupling 769 for attaching a compressed gas tank to the compressed gasgun is provided adjacent the grip portion 713. The coupling 769 isgenerally threaded and configured to accept the threaded portion of acompressed gas tank, as is well known in the art. The coupling may be inthe form of a “bottom line” 719 portion as is known in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the compressed gas gun body may furtherinclude one or more breech covers 805, 806 covering side breech openings929 allowing access to the interior 930 of the firing assembly portion712 of the gun body, such as for service. The breech covers 805, 806 arepreferably located on opposite sides of the compressed gas gun body 701,adjacent a breech area 770. A mode selector switch 725 may be providedfor selecting between various firing modes (single short, burst,automatic, semi-automatic) in communication with control circuitry ofthe compressed gas gun. The selector switch that 725 is user-actuableand may include one or more firing modes—Semi, Burst, Ramping, Full Autoand Select Fire. The firing mode selection electronics may also be incommunication with and controlled by the control circuitry.

An exemplary firing assembly 728 (or “firing mechanism”) that may beused is a pressure balanced poppet valve system similar to those in theMINI™ AXE™, or TM™ compressed gas guns, and examples of which are shownin greater detail in FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 21, 21, 22, and 23. It isappreciated, however, that any firing assembly for firing projectilessuch as paintballs under the force of compressed gas may be used in abuilt-in, interior paintball loader arrangement of the presentinvention. In order for the firing assembly to be fully removable whenfield-stripping the compressed gas gun, as discussed in greater detailherein, the firing assembly should be a removable unit containing all,some or most of the components needed to chamber and fire a projectile,such as, for example, the bolt, valving system, and electronics.

The exemplary compressed gas gun firing assembly 728 illustrated, andshown in greater detail in FIGS. 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 23,includes a housing portion 729 generally defining a breech area 770,with a generally cylindrical interior portion. A bolt 730 having achannel (or bolt passage) for communicating gas therethrough is providedin the forward portion of the housing movable from a first or rearwardor ready-to-fire or loading position to a second or forward or firingposition. The bolt 730 is biased by a bolt spring 731 to a rearwardposition. The bolt coaxially surrounds a bolt guide 736, which isstationary in the housing. A channel runs through the bolt guide 736,providing fluid communication from a rear portion of the housing to thebolt and a forward portion of the housing.

A velocity adjuster 744 may be provided to the rear of the valve housing771, which can be adjustment to control the volume of the valve housing771, and this controls the velocity of projectile firing based oncompressed gas volume.

A transfer tube or compressed gas tube 739 is provided, positionedwithin the body, providing a compressed gas channel 740 forcommunicating compressed gas from a compressed gas tank, as regulated bythe regulator 745, to the valve housing 771 of the firing assembly 728.

Compressed gas from the compressed gas tube 739 flows into a poppet orvalve housing 771 of the housing. The valve housing 771 may comprise acompressed gas area or chamber 738 for receiving compressed gas from asource of compressed gas such as a gas tank. A poppet 732 is positionedin the valve housing 771 of the housing and moveable from a rearward toa forward position. The poppet 732, in the forward position, ispositioned adjacent a rear opening in the bolt guide, closing a flowpath or channel F. The poppet 732 includes a gas channel 772 through thebody of the poppet 732, permitting compressed gas in the valve housing771 to flow through the poppet valve body to the rear of the poppetvalve. Due to differences in forward and rearward facing surface areasof the poppet 732, compressed gas in the valve housing acts to move thepoppet to the forward (or closed) position when the gun is not beingfired. Thus, a pressure controlled poppet valve is provided. A poppetspring 733 may also be provided to the rear of the poppet 732, biasingthe poppet to the forward or closed position.

The control unit 716 (or “control circuitry” or “control electronics”)of the compressed gas gun may include a circuit board 717 includingcontrol circuitry for controlling operations of the compressed gas gun,and including a controller such as a microprocessor 718. Upon pulling,depressing, or otherwise actuating the trigger, the control unit 716sends a signal to a solenoid valve 741, positioned adjacent thecompressed gas tube 739 and in the example gun shown, below the housing771. The solenoid valve 741 includes a plunger or stopper 742 thatregulates a flow of compressed gas through a channel 743 providingcommunication between a rearward portion of the valve housing 771 behindthe poppet, and a rearward facing portion of the bolt. The stopper 742is configured to move from a closed position, where the channel 743 isblocked, to an open position allowing for fluid communication.

In the open position, compressed gas from the valve housing 771 iscommunicated to the bolt 730 through a gas channel. This has severaleffects. The compressed gas acting on the bolt 730 will move the boltforward (toward a firing position) against the force of the bolt spring731 toward a firing position, which will act to chamber a paintball thathas entered the breech area through the breech opening 761. Theimbalance of gas pressure on the poppet 732, since gas is being ventedfrom the space to the rear of the poppet, will cause the poppet to moveto the rearward or open position. This will open a flow path or channelF allowing the compressed gas to flow through the bolt guide and bolt tofire a paintball (projectile) from the gun. When the bolt is in thefiring position, the poppet is configured to move to the rearwardposition, at least for the time needed to provide a firing charge ofcompressed gas, and compressed gas flows from the valve area 771 throughthe flow path F opened by the poppet 732, and through the opening in thebolt to fire a projectile through and out the barrel. This system willreset when the solenoid valve plunger again closes the gas channel, andthe pressure differential will force the poppet to the forward or closedposition, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, for example.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, and27, with an exploded view shown in FIG. 27, the compressed gas gunaccording to the present invention further includes a built-inprojectile feed mechanism 747 comprising a feeder portion 804, housed inthe projectile feed mechanism portion 721 of the gun body 701, which maybe the rear or butt stock 933 of the gun body 701. The entire projectilefeeding mechanism 747, and a feed ramp 227 (also referred to as feedtube 764), is housed essentially completely internally within the body701 of the compressed gas gun. Not only does this provide a single unitof a compressed gas gun and paintball loader in one integral body, butthe positioning of the projectile feeding mechanism as in the presentinvention in the rear portion 705 of the compressed gas gun body 701allows the paintball loader to act as a butt stock 933 of a generallyrifle-shaped compressed gas gun. Since the projectile feeding mechanismis effectively in-line with the rest of the compressed gas gun and/orcompressed gas gun body 701, rather than sitting atop of or below thecompressed gas gun body, it reduces the target for paintballs to hitduring paintball sport game play. The projectile feeding mechanismportion is preferably positioned horizontally lower (along a lowerhorizontal plane) than the firing assembly, as in butt stocks of rifles.Moreover, the projectile feeding mechanism cannot “fall off” the gunbody, as it is internal and fully contained.

A portion of the interior space or projectile reservoir 762 is providedin the body 701 at the upper part of the projectile feed mechanismportion for receiving and storing projectile (paintballs), as in aconventional paintball loader. The reservoir 762 is sized to holdupwards of 50 or more paintballs, and preferably holds over 200paintballs. In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, body extender portions 800may be provided, which increase the capacity of the reservoir such as upto 250, 300, or more paintballs. This can be provided as “bubble”extender portions 800 that increase the capacity of the reservoir, andcould either be on the right or left side of the compressed gas gunbody, taking into account whether the user is right or left handed. Theextenders portions 800 have openings in communication with the reservoir762 provided in the body 701, or replace removable sidewalls adjacentthe reservoir 762.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the projectile feed mechanism 747 is providedat a lower portion of the interior space 703 of the gun body 701. Asshown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 27, the projectile feed mechanism 747preferably includes a feeder 748 rotatable about a central axis ‘A’within a catch cup 756, with a drive shaft 751 powered by a motor 752having a power source such as a battery. The catch cup 756 includesannular walls for containing paintballs driven by the feeder 748.

The feeder 748 preferably includes at least one or a plurality of arms,fins, or extensions 820 forming at least one space or pockets, gaps orspaces 749 for receiving projectiles placed in the interior space, whichmay fall by gravity into the spaces 749. The feeder 748 has a generallyoutwardly and downwardly sloping feed surface along its circumferencefor guiding and/or receiving paintballs into the spaces 749. The feeder748 may have an overall conical or frusto-conical shape. The feeder andfeeding mechanism may be designed as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,252, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 27, a belt drivesystem may be utilized for rotating the feeder, as described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,343,909, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein. The drive shaft 774 may projectdownward to engage a drive member 776 that is part of the drivemechanism such as a gear or series of gears driven by a motor 752. Thedrive member 776 may be a gear having a plurality of spaced apart gearteeth. The gear teeth are adapted to engage with mating teeth on asecond gear 775 having a drive belt 777 connected to the drive shaftand/or motor 752. While the drive member in the illustrated embodimentis a gear, other types of conventional drive members can be used toproduce controlled rotation, such as a pulley mechanism or steppermotor.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment of the drive mechanismis an illustrative embodiment only, and that other drive suitable drivemechanisms may be used. For example, the drive shaft can be coupleddirectly to the motor.

Rotation of the feeder 748 drives projectiles 142 toward the exitopening 755, which may generally be an opening in a wall of the catchcup 756. In the preferred embodiment, the exit opening 755 is at aforward end of the feed mechanism. A catch arm or tube extension 746and/or deflector 754 may be provided for guiding paintballs from thefeeder and into the exit opening, and preventing projectile jams ormis-feeds, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,110, 6,502,567, and6,792,933, the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference as if fully set for the herein.

An electrical or electronic system for operating and/or controlling theprojectile feed mechanism and motor 752 is provided. FIG. 27 also shows,schematically, the electronics and/or control circuitry that may beprovided to control operation of the projectile feed mechanism. A feedsensor 784 or breech sensor 814 may be in communication with paintballfeed mechanism control circuitry 773 (such as electronics or electricalcircuitry). Such paintball feed mechanism control circuitry 773 may alsobe in communication with control unit 716 (alternately described as partof central control unit 1000), described in greater detail herein. Thecommunication may be wired or wireless. In this embodiment, separatepaintball control circuitry 773 may be provided in communication withthe feed mechanism. The projectile loader control circuitry 773 mayinclude a microprocessor in communication with one or more sensors.Also, sensors 784 and/or 782 may be directly in communication withcontrol unit 716 (alternately described as part of control unit 1000),so that a single control unit controls both the feed assembly 728 andthe projectile feed mechanism 747.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the central compressed gas gun controlunit 716 may also control operation of the projectile feed mechanism 747as well. In addition, a single circuit board 717 or control circuitrycan also be used to control both the firing assembly 728 and theprojectile feed mechanism 747, and can be powered by a single powersource (e.g., battery or batteries), thus eliminating the need foradditional circuitry, controllers or batteries.

The control circuitry 773 and/or the compressed gas gun control unit716, or central control unit 1000, may have some or all of the followingfeatures. A contact, sound, pressure or shock sensor, or detector 780may be provided configured to detect a signal based on a compressed gasgun firing event, or sound, or other pressure waves in a medium, andoperate the motor in response thereto, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,947,100 and 5,791,325, the entire contents of all of which are herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth the herein. In thisarrangement, the detector 780 will detect or sense a firing event (e.g.,sound, pressure waves in a medium, shock waves, a trigger pull, boltmovement, hammer movement, an electronic signal indicative of acompressed gas gun being fired, projectile movement), and send a signalindicative of such a firing event to control units, control circuitryand/or electronics of the compressed gas gun and/or the projectile feedmechanism. The control units, control circuitry and/or electronics willprocess and determine the proper action and/or adjustment in response tosuch a signal, such as operating and/or otherwise controlling the motor(starting, stopping, speeding up, reversing, or slowing down) of theprojectile feed mechanism, updating information regarding the firingparameters (e.g., rate of fire, valve dwell time, velocity, gasexpended, shot count, ramping) of the compressed gas gun, regulating thefiring parameters of the compressed gas gun, or similar adjustments oractions, or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 27, one or more break-beam, optical, or infra-redsensors 782 may be provided to detect paintballs or the movement ofpaintballs at a selected position in the feed mechanism, such as in thefeed tube, and control the motor of the feed mechanism in response tosuch detection, as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,816,232; 6,213,110; 6,502,567; or6,792,933, the entire contents of all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference as if fully set forth herein. In this arrangement, thesensor 782 will detect or sense a projectile or projectile movement, andsend a signal indicative of such projectile or projectile movement tocontrol units, control circuitry and/or electronics of the compressedgas gun and/or the projectile feed mechanism. The control units, controlcircuitry and/or electronics will process and determine the properaction and/or adjustment in response to such a signal, such as operatingand/or otherwise controlling the motor (starting, stopping, speeding up,reversing, or slowing down) of the projectile feed mechanism, updatinginformation regarding the firing parameters (e.g., rate of fire, valvedwell time, velocity, gas expended, shot count, ramping) of thecompressed gas gun, regulating the firing parameters of the compressedgas gun, or similar adjustments or actions, or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 23, one or more breech sensors 814 may be provided forsensing projectiles within the breech area 770. In this arrangement, thesensor 783 will detect or sense a projectile or projectile movement, andsend a signal indicative of such projectile or projectile movement tocontrol units, control circuitry and/or electronics of the compressedgas gun and/or the projectile feed mechanism. The control units, controlcircuitry and/or electronics will process and determine the properaction and/or adjustment in response to such a signal, such as operatingand/or otherwise controlling the motor (starting, stopping, speeding up,reversing, or slowing down) of the projectile feed mechanism, updatinginformation regarding the firing parameters (e.g., rate of fire, valvedwell time, velocity, gas expended, shot count, ramping) of thecompressed gas gun, regulating the firing parameters of the compressedgas gun, or similar adjustments or actions, or any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 27, a feeder sensor 784 may be provided for detectingmovement of the feeder such that the motor may be operated or controlledin response thereto, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,680, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein. In this arrangement, the sensor 784 will detect or sense themovement, speed, and/or lack of movement or speed of the feeder, andsend a signal indicative of such to control units, control circuitryand/or electronics of the compressed gas gun and/or the projectile feedmechanism. The control units, control circuitry and/or electronics willprocess and determine the proper action and/or adjustment in response tosuch a signal, such as operating and/or otherwise controlling the motor(starting, stopping, speeding up, reversing, or slowing down) of theprojectile feed mechanism, updating information regarding the firingparameters (e.g., rate of fire, valve dwell time, velocity, gasexpended, shot count, ramping) of the compressed gas gun, regulating thefiring parameters of the compressed gas gun, or similar adjustments oractions, or any combination thereof.

A sensor or sensors in communication with one or more transmitters 786and receivers 788, which may be wired or wireless, may be provided fordetecting a firing event and operating the motor in response thereto, asin U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,631, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. In thisarrangement, the sensor will detect a firing event and a signal will betransmitted via a transmitter to a receiver in communication with thecontrol circuitry indicative of such signal and firing event. Thecontrol units, control circuitry and/or electronics will process anddetermine the proper action and/or adjustment in response to such asignal, such as operating and/or otherwise controlling the motor(starting, stopping, speeding up, reversing, or slowing down) of theprojectile feed mechanism, updating information regarding the firingparameters (e.g., rate of fire, valve dwell time, velocity, gasexpended, shot count, ramping) of the compressed gas gun, regulating thefiring parameters of the compressed gas gun, or similar adjustments oractions, or any combination thereof.

The sensors or detectors described herein may be electrically wired, oroperate in a wireless fashion with transmitters and receivers. Anycombination of sensors or detectors may be used to control, regulateand/or adjust the operation of the compressed gas gun of the preventinvention. Other means for operating the motor of the feed mechanism mayalso be provided without departing from the teachings of the presentinvention.

In order to deliver paintballs from the projectile feed mechanism 747 tothe breech area 770 of the compressed gas gun 700, a feed tube 764 (alsoreferred to herein as a “feed ramp” 227) having several identifiableportions is provided, although it is noted that the feed tube 764 may beone piece or several pieces. As shown in FIGS. 12-17, 19, 21 and 27, afirst portion 757 of the feed tube is in communication with the exitopening 755 of the catch cup. The first portion 757 is curved, andpreferably curves forwardly and upwardly as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19.The first portion 757 is in communication with a second portion 758. Thesecond portion 758 is also curved, curving upwardly and away from thefirst portion to form a generally “S”-shaped transition portion 765(which also can be described as having a “wave” shape) of the feed tube764. The “S”-shaped transition portion 765 is preferable, as thepaintballs in a paintball stack forced by the feeder 748 through thefeed tube 764 preferably undergo a smooth transition from the paintballfeeder and initially upward and toward the breech, through the feed tube764. This “5”-shaped transition portion 765 of the feed tube assists inpreventing paintballs from rupturing or jamming in the feed tube.

A third portion 759, which is generally horizontal, of the feed tubeextends from the second portion 758 forward along the compressed gas gunbody interior 703, as shown in FIGS. 12-18. As shown, the third portion759 of the feed tube 764 extends along an upper wall 766 of the interior703 of the compressed gas gun body. The third portion 759 may begenerally horizontal or flat along the majority of its length, or mayhave a curve in it.

As shown in FIGS. 16-18, in a preferred embodiment, the feed tube 764comprises, in part, an upper wall 766 formed by an inner surface 767 ofthe top portion 706 of the compressed gas gun body 701, which may beformed as a removable top rail assembly 249. The inner surface 767 ofthe upper wall 766 completes the tubular shape of the feed tube 764along its upper portion. In a preferred embodiment, the upper wall 766is removable as a top rail assembly 249, exposing an open portion 760 ofthe gun body interior 703 including a portion of the feed tube 764 forcleaning, maintenance or otherwise gaining access to the interior of thecompressed gas gun. Portions of the feeder portion 804 may also beaccessible when the upper wall 766 is removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper wall 766 is formed as part of a toprail assembly 249, having at an upper surface various rails such as“picatinny” rails, and at a lower surface the upper wall 766 of the feedtube 764 including the inner surface 767. This is shown, for example, inFIGS. 17-19, 24 and 25. This top rail assembly 249 forms a top wall atthe upper portion 706 of the compressed gas gun body 701, and can beremoved as described herein to provide easy access to the interior 703of the gun body 701.

The top rail assembly 249 of the compressed gas gun body 701, includingthe upper wall 766, may be attached and removable by a tongue-in-groovearrangement, by a button release assembly 252, by a pin or pins 781inserted through holes 125 in the top rail assembly 249 and/or body 701and/or upper wall 766, it may rotate about a hinge attached at one endto the compressed gas gun body, or may be attached in another mannersuch as snapping in place, or a combination of any of the foregoing. Thetop rail assembly 249 of the compressed gas gun body 701, including theupper wall 766, may be attached by magnets to the compressed gas gunbody, or by a friction fit.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/835,231, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein,disclosed a possible arrangement for providing access to the internalsof a compressed gas gun, and a similar design may be used in connectionwith the upper wall 766 of the present design. In such an arrangement,the top rail assembly 249 may be pivotally and/or hingedly attached tothe upper portion 706 of the compressed gas gun body 701, and operatedas a “flip-up-lid” to expose the interior 703 of the compressed gas gunbody 701 for maintenance and adjustments, as described.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the front end 934 of the third portion 759of the feed tube 764 curves downwardly at its forward end toward thebreech opening 761 of the breech area 770, where a paintball isdelivered to the firing assembly 728 for firing by the firing assembly728 under the force of compressed gas, through the barrel 711. Thus, thefeed tube 764 delivers projectiles to the breech area 770 from above thebreech area 770. As shown, the arrangement of the present inventionpermits a complete built-in, internal projectile feed mechanism andloader, housed within the body of a compressed gas gun, yet still allowsfor projectile loading from above the breech area. This above-breechloading is preferable, as the paintballs do not have to work against theforce of gravity when loading into the breech.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the projectile feed mechanism 747 is preferablypositioned lower (horizontally when the gun is held in a firingposition) than the firing assembly 728. This arrangement corresponds tothe overall shape of the compressed gas gun, whereby the butt stock isgenerally ergonomically positioned lower than the breech. In addition,unlike known paintball loaders mounted on top of or beneath a compressedgas gun, the internal paintball loader of the present invention cannotfall off or otherwise be disconnected during use, and cannot get in theway of or otherwise obstruct a paintball sport player. The compressedgas gun may have the projectile feed mechanism 747 positioned in thestock in a “bullpup” type of design, as is known in the art of firearms.The design of the gun of the present invention allows a player in thesport of paintball, for example, to reduce their silhouette and nevertake a “hit” on an exposed projectile loader.

In operation, when an operator of the compressed gas gun wishes to shootpaintballs, the trigger is squeezed, and the firing assembly operates tochamber and fire a paintball. Paintballs stored in the interior areapass through the feed tube, forced by the feeder, for use by thecompressed gas gun when demanded by the operator.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projectilefeed mechanism 747 may include a microprocessor 718 to enhance theperformance of the projectile feed mechanism 747 as well as providinguseful information to an operator. The microprocessor 718 may controlthe motor 752 to rotate it in a first direction for feeding, and in asecond or reverse direction to clear a jam.

As shown in FIGS. 4-15, a compressed gas gun according to the presentinvention preferably includes a body 701 or “shell” having a left sideportion 708, and a right side portion 709. The two sides 708, 709 areconnected (such as by screws or bolts, etc.) to form the complete body701 that will house the various components, and in particular, willhouse both the firing assembly 728 and the feeder portion 804.

Referring to FIGS. 4-21, a compressed gas gun 700 according to thepresent invention preferably comprises one or more of the followingcomponents: a removable top rail assembly 249 that forms the upper wallof the body; a “feed ramp” 227 or “feed tube” 764 that acts as a ramp orraceway for conveying projectiles 142 from the feeder portion 804 or theprojectile feed mechanism 747 to the firing assembly 728; a left sidebreech cover 805; a right side breech cover 806; a battery holder 768including batteries 807; a lid 722 for covering the opening 818 in thebody 701 adjacent the projectile feed mechanism portion 721; acompressed gas regulator 809 for controlling the operation pressure ofcompressed gas supplied to the compressed gas gun from a compressed gassupply (e.g., air or gas tank); a barrel 711; a compressed gas adaptor810 for attachment to a source of compressed gas such as an air or gastank; removable pins 781 (removable without the need for tools) forattaching the top rail assembly 249 or upper wall 766 to the body 701;and a grip 713 for grasping or holding the compressed gas gun.

Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 21-23, an illustrative firing assembly 728 ofthe compressed gas gun according to the present invention is shown. Thefiring assembly 728 preferably comprises one or more of the followingcomponents: a bolt assembly 730 for chambering and firing a projectile(e.g., a paintball); a solenoid valve assembly 741 that may be initiatedby a trigger 715 pull, for regulating the flow of compressed gas to thebolt 730 in order to perform a firing operation; detents 811 forassisting in holding and/or positioning a projectile in place in thebreech for firing; a manifold 812 including gas passages for the flow ofcompressed gas; control unit 716 including a circuit board 717 andpreferably including a microprocessor 718, for controlling both thefiring operation of the firing assembly 728, and the loading operationof the projectile loader of the compressed gas gun; sensor harnesses 813including breech sensors 814, for detecting whether a projectile isproperly loaded into the breech; an air or gas transfer tube 739 forcommunicating compressed gas from a source of compressed to the valvingsystem 771 of the firing assembly 728; and a return or bolt spring 731for returning the bolt to a rearward or ready position.

FIGS. 17 and 27 show the components of a projectile feed mechanism (orpaintball loader) according to the invention. A projectile feedmechanism according to the present invention preferably comprises one ormore of the following components: a catch cup 756, for holding a feeder748 and receiving or “catching” projectiles for feeding; a “catch arm”or tube extension 746 for catching and/or guiding projectiles into theexit opening 755; an anti-jam 302 such as a deflector 754, for assistingin preventing projectile jams at the exit opening 755 of the catch cup756; a drive shaft 751 in communication with drive gears 775, 776 and amotor 752 and a feeder 748, configured for rotation by the motor 752; afeeder 748 (or carrier) for feeding projectiles that is attached to thedrive shaft and rotated with the drive shaft by the drive gears andmotor; a motor 752, in communication with drive mechanism 775, 776; feedsensor 784 for detecting a position and/or operation of the feeder 748and providing detection signals to the control circuitry; a projectilesensor 782 for detecting projectiles or the movement or projectiles; areverse ramp 821, so that when the feeder 748 moves in reverse,projectiles will move up the ramp to prevent jamming; and an exitopening 755 leading to an upwardly turned first portion 757 of an exitramp or exit tube.

FIGS. 17-19, 2, 24 and 32, show a feed ramp 227 (also described hereinwith reference to feed tube 764), including a feed ramp back 229, a feedramp extension 231, and a feed ramp top 233. The feed ramp 227 is incommunication with and releasably joins the upwardly turned exit ramp309 (also described as first portion 757) adjacent the exit opening 755of the projectile feed mechanism 747. In addition, feed ramp back 229 isreleasably attached, such as by flanges and grooves shown in FIG. 24 andsuch as by a snap fit, to feed ramp extension 231. Projectiles areforced from the projectile feed mechanism 747, along the feed ramp 227,and into the breech area 770 of the firing assembly 728, for firing. Asshown in FIG. 24, feed ramp top 233 may be attached to feed ramp back229 by a spring pin, such that feed ramp top can operate as a flip topthat is spring-biased.

FIGS. 21, 25, 31, 32 and 34 show the top rail assembly 249 of the bodyof the compressed gas gun. The top rail assembly 249 is releasablyattached to the body 701 by spring-biased detent or button releaseassembly 252 which extends through holes 253 in the body 701 of theupper portion of the compressed has gun 700. Pressing the buttonreleases of the button release assembly 252 toward each other againstthe bias of the spring allows movement of the top rail assembly 249relative to the upper portion of the body. This provides a “quickrelease” function for removing the top rail assembly 249.

A tool-less “field strip” of the compressed gas gun according to theinvention will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 28-36. The toprail assembly 249 that is preferably completely removable, although apartially removable version is also contemplated. The top rail assembly249 may slide into place along the top of the top portion 706 of thebody 701 of the gun 700, such as by a tongue and groove or flange andgroove arrangement. When the top rail assembly 249 is positioned forclosing the top portion 706 of the gun body 701, the buttons 252 will bebiased by the spring into the holes 253 in the upper portion of the bodyprovided for receiving the buttons. The top rail assembly 249 may beslidable from a first locked (e.g., the buttons are snapped or lockedinto the holes in the body) position, to a second unlocked position forremoval. FIGS. 12-15 and 28 show the top rail assembly 249 in the lockedposition, with the buttons 252 extending through the holes 253 in thebody 701.

By depressing the buttons 252, which are accessible when the top railassembly 249 is in a locked position, the top rail assembly 249 is freeto slide to an unlocked position. The top rail assembly 249 can then becompletely removed, as shown in FIG. 29, to expose the internals orinterior 703 of the gun body 701. The inner surface 767 of the top railassembly 249, that is, the portion facing the inside of the body of thecompressed gas gun, may comprise the top of a feed ramp 227 (or as alsodescribed, feed tube 764) for transferring projectiles from theprojectile feed mechanism of the compressed gas gun to the elements ofthe firing assembly 728 (e.g., the breech or bolt). The inner surface767 is preferably at least partially curved or semi-circular incross-section forming the upper half of a tube, with the feed rampextension 231 forming the other part of the tube.

Once the top rail assembly 249 is removed, as shown in FIGS. 30-32, theportion of the feed ramp that runs across the top of the gun body can beremoved. One or more pins 781 may preferably be used to hold the feedramp 227 in place. The pins 781 preferably extend through openings 125in the body and openings in the feed ramp 125, as shown in FIGS. 30-32.The pins 781, shown in detail in FIG. 26, are formed so as to beremovable by a person without the need for tools, and have spring biasedattachment means for locking in place. The pins 781 may be friction fitwith a flange or spring clip to lock in place. The feed ramp 227 may beheld in place such as by a snap fit, or a tongue-in-groove fit. The feedramp extension 231 and feed ramp back 229 may snap together with aflange and grooves as shown in FIGS. 17, 19, 21, 2 and 32, to releasableengage the upwardly turning exit ramp (or “exit tube”) 309 (alsodescribed as the first portion 757 of the feed tube 764) of theprojectile feed mechanism 747.

As shown in FIGS. 30-32, once the pins 781 are removed, the feed ramp227 can be disengaged and lifted out of the body 701 without the use oftools. FIGS. 31-32 show the feed ramp 227 completely removed from thebody 701. In addition, FIGS. 30-32 show the left side breech cover 805and right side breech cover 806, which are removably attachable to sidesof the body adjacent the breech, and which hold the detents 811 inplace. Removal of the left side breech cover 805 and right side breechcover 806 provides additional access to the inner portions and interior703 of the body, adjacent the breech area 770.

Removal of the feed ramp 227 through the opening in the top of the gunexposes the firing assembly 728 of the compressed gas gun, as shown inFIG. 32. As shown in FIGS. 35-36, the firing assembly 728 may be held inplace by hand or finger-removable attachment portions 504 that mayinclude attachment slots 501, and attachment portions 504 in theinterior 703 of the gun body that may include attachment pins 502, orsnap fit into place. Once disengaged from any fittings, the firingassembly 728 can be lifted out of the body 701 as a single unit, asshown in FIGS. 33-34. Removal of the firing assembly 728 of allows forservice, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, etc. FIGS. 33 and 34 showthe firing assembly 728 in the process of being removed from the body,and completely removed. The attachment portions 503, 504, which mayattach by a friction fit and lock into place, and may be electricaljunctions, that may further provide electrical connections for thecontrol circuitry of the firing assembly and the power source (e.g.,battery or batteries) of the gun.

The foregoing disassembly described can be accomplished according to thepresent invention, all without the use of tools. Re-assembly simplyrequires a reversal of the described disassembly.

A unique feature of a compressed gas gun according to the invention isthe use of one control circuit for controlling operation of the both thefiring assembly (solenoid, or compressed gas gun electronics), as wellas the operation of the paintball loader (motor, or projectile feedmechanism electronics). The control circuitry of the compressed gas gunmay be configured to control, operate, adjust, regulate and/orcoordinate the compressed gas gun electronics and the loader electronicssuch that a more efficient, comprehensive compressed gas gun, whichaccording to the invention includes an integral projectile feedmechanism, is provided. The control circuitry preferably includes amicroprocessor and software for operation of the gun and monitoring,regulating, sensing, controlling, or otherwise accessing gun operationsor parameters.

FIG. 37 shows a schematic representation of the central control unit1000 (or “central control circuitry” or “central control electronics”,and which may include or comprise control unit 716), which may comprisea circuit board, electronics necessary for controlling operation of thecompressed gas gun and projectile firing mechanism, and which mayinclude a microprocessor and software for controlling and/or otherwiseoperating the compressed gas gun and projectile firing mechanism. Asshown in FIG. 37, the central control unit 1000 is preferably incommunication with a breech sensor or plurality of breech sensors 1002(which may be sensors 814); a projectile feed mechanism sensor orplurality of projectile feed mechanism sensors 1003 (which may besensors 782 and/or 784); a trigger switch 1004 actuated by pulling atrigger; the projectile feed mechanism motor and/or other projectilefeed mechanism components and/or electronics 1005; the solenoid and/orfiring assembly components and/or electronics 1006; and a user interface1007. Preferably, the user interface 1007 includes user-actuableswitches, buttons, pads, or a joystick, whereby a user can inputselections to the software of the control circuitry, and may include adisplay screen 1008. The mode selector electronics 1009, which mayinclude a mode selector switch 1010, and also in communication with andcontrolled by the central control unit 1000.

The central control unit 1000, which preferably includes amicroprocessor and software, is preferably in communication with one ormore sensors 1002 in the breech of the compressed gas gun, and one ormore sensors 1003 in the projectile feed mechanism. The control unit1000 is further in communication with a trigger switch 1004. The controlunit 1000 can receive and process signals received from the triggerswitch 1004, breech sensor 1002 and/or the projectile feed mechanismsensors 1003. Because the projectile feed mechanism 747 and firingassembly 728 are controlled by the same central control unit 1000, thecontrol circuitry can operate the functions of the compressed gas gun ina coordinated manner not previously available, taking into accountmultiple signals and feedback as provided by the various sensors 1002,1003.

Examples of operation of the control unit 1000 are described.

Upon actuation of the trigger, a firing signal may be sent by thetrigger switch 1004 to the control unit 1000. The control unit 1000 isconfigured to process the firing signal and operate or otherwise controlthe firing assembly 728 and the projectile feed mechanism 747.

The control unit 1000 can transmit a firing assembly signal to asolenoid valve 731 that is part of the firing assembly 728. The solenoidvalve 731 acts to operate the bolt 730 to chamber and fire a projectile.

Either simultaneously with operation of the firing assembly, or asotherwise timed for optimal feed rates, the control unit 1000 can alsobe configured to transmit a feed mechanism signal to the electronicsand/or motor of the projectile feed mechanism. The feed mechanism signalwill cause the projectile feeder of the feed mechanism signal to rotateto feed projectiles along the feed ramp 227, and into the breech of thefiring assembly 728 for firing.

FIG. 38 shows a flow chart diagramming a potential, illustrativeoperation of the central control unit 1000. When the trigger isactuated, operating the trigger switch 1004, a firing signal is sent tothe control circuitry (2000). The control circuitry communicates withthe breech sensor to determine whether the breech sensor detects that aprojectile is properly loaded into the breech and ready for firing(2001). If a projectile is not detected in the breech by the breechsensor, or if a projectile is not fully in position in the breechwhereby it could be “chopped,” a “no projectile” signal may betransmitted to the control circuitry (2002). No paintballs in thebreech, or a paintball improperly positioned in the breech, may beindicative of a paintball jam, that is, a misfed paintball. Because thecontrol circuitry also controls the paintball loader, the “noprojectile” signal may be received by the control circuitry, and a “jamclear” signal may be sent to the paintball loader (2003). This may causethe motor of the paintball loader to either operate in reverse, or in areverse and forward manner, in an attempt to clear the jammed paintball(2004). Normal operations may resume once projectiles are detected, forexample in the proper position, by the breech sensor (2005).

If a projectile is correctly positioned in the breech, the controlcircuitry may send a simultaneous, or otherwise timed, signal to thesolenoid to operate and for the motor of the projectile feed mechanismmotor to operate, thereby firing the gun and also simultaneously feedingprojectiles (2006).

Thus, a central control circuit, housed in the same body as the firingassembly and the projectile feed mechanism, can gather operationalparameters of the gun, which comprises both the firing assembly and theprojectile feed mechanism, send operational signals to the firingassembly and the projectile loader, and coordinate and control operationof the firing assembly and the projectile feed mechanism to provide foran efficient, coordinated and improved operation. Thus, a singleelectronics platform is provided for both the firing assembly and theprojectile feed mechanism.

The control unit 1000 may be configured to provide for controlledfeeding of projectiles, where the speed of the feed rate of theprojectile feed mechanism is regulated based upon how quickly or slowlyprojectiles are being fired. Thus, the speed of the motor of theprojectile feed mechanism can be sped up or slowed down to coordinatewith the rate of fire. In addition, by use of a single unit of controlcircuitry for both the firing assembly and the projectile feedmechanism, a single battery or battery pack can be used to power thecompressed gas gun according to the present invention. For example, asingle power source (battery pack) may power the control circuitry, thesolenoid of the firing assembly, and the motor of the projectile feedmechanism.

An additional feature of the control circuitry may be the ability toclear the feed ramp when the gun is powered “off,” such as by an ON/OFFpower switch in communication with the power source (batteries). When apower switch of the user interface of the gun is set to “off,” thecontrol circuitry sends a “power off” signal to the motor of theprojectile loader. The motor operates the feeder in reverse, to clearthe projectiles in the feed ramp and adjacent the breech. In typicalcompressed gas gun where the loader or hopper is a separate unitattached to the top of the gun body, a user will remove the loader tomake sure there is no balls in the breech or feedneck. With theprojectile loader integrated into the gun, reversing the motor of theloader assists in removing projectiles from a feeding or firingposition.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the presentinvention will be apparent from the foregoing description. While theapparatus shown and described has been characterized as being preferred,it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications couldbe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A compressed gas gun comprising: a gun bodyincluding walls defining a common interior area; a firing mechanismincluding a bolt and a projectile feed mechanism housed entirely withinthe common interior area.
 22. The compressed gas gun of claim 21,wherein the firing assembly is housed in a first portion of the gunbody, and the projectile feed mechanism is housed in a rear portion ofthe gun body.
 23. The compressed gas gun of claim 21, wherein theprojectile feed mechanism is in a lower horizontal plane than the firingassembly when the gun is held in a firing position.
 24. The compressedgas gun of claim 22, wherein the rear portion is a butt stock of arifle-shaped compressed gas gun.
 25. The compressed gas gun of claim 21,further comprising central control unit, the central control unitcontrolling operation of both the firing assembly and the projectilefeed mechanism.
 26. The compressed gas gun of claim 21, wherein theprojectile feed mechanism is configured to feed projectiles to thefiring assembly via a feed ramp positioned between the projectile feedmechanism and the firing assembly.
 27. The compressed gas gun of claim26, wherein the feed ramp has a portion positioned above the firingassembly, and wherein projectiles are fed from the feed ramp to thefiring assembly from above the firing assembly.
 28. The compressed gasgun of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the feed ramp isdetachable and removable through an opening in a top of the gun body.29. The compressed gas gun of claim 21, wherein the feed ramp includes afirst curved portion allowing for transition of projectiles from a firstfeeding direction to a second feeding direction.
 30. The compressed gasgun of claim 29, wherein the feed ramp further includes a second curvedportion allowing for transition of projectiles from the second feedingdirection to a third feeding direction.
 31. The compressed gas gun ofclaim 26, wherein the feed ramp comprises an S-shaped portion.
 32. Thecompressed gas gun of claim 21, wherein the firing assembly isreleasably attached to an interior of the body.
 33. The compressed gasgun of claim 26, wherein the wall includes at least a portion of thefeed ramp, and wherein the feed ramp portion of the wall is configuredfor removal.
 34. The compressed gas gun of claim 26, wherein a topportion of the gun body can be removed to provide an opening in the topof the gun body; and wherein at least a portion of the feed ramp and thefiring assembly can be completely removed through the opening withoutthe use of tools.
 35. The compressed gas gun of claim 26, wherein a topportion of the gun body comprises a top rail assembly defining an upperwall of the body, and wherein the top rail assembly is releasablyattached to the body, and wherein removal of the top rail assemblyexposes an interior of the body.
 36. A compressed gas gun comprising: agun body including walls defining a common interior area; a projectilefeed mechanism and projectile feed ramp housed entirely within thecommon interior area.
 37. The compressed gas gun of claim 36, furthercomprising a firing assembly housed within the gun body.
 38. Thecompressed gas gun of claim 36, wherein at least a portion of the feedramp is detachable and removable through an opening in a top of the gunbody.
 39. The compressed gas gun of claim 36, wherein the firingassembly is housed in a first portion of the gun body, and theprojectile feed mechanism is housed in a rear portion of the gun body.